1. THE CONCRETE "PROFIT" PUMP
Over the past year and a half, we have all learned the harsh lesson of just how volatile our economy can be. Mandated business closures, forced health and safety regulations, and a looming sense of uncertainty remain as so many industries struggle to adapt to these unforeseen changes. Government mandates proclaimed for the sake of safety have had the unfortunate consequence of forcing the bankruptcy of thousands of businesses. Many people are now questioning how their profession can withstand the various trials our economy faces at an ever erratic rate. So how can one mitigate the effects of such a swinging economy?
Well, until banks stop lending money, there is profit to be made in construction. Even during this pandemic, numerous exemptions have been made for construction as it relates to supplementing our infrastructure. It's no secret that large construction companies can rake in profit, but how does a single person make a lucrative entrance into the world of construction? One solution is to become a General Purpose Concrete Pumper.
GENERAL PURPOSE CONCRETE PUMPING
Simply put, a General Purpose Concrete Pumper is someone who transports concrete from a redimix truck to its intended location by means of a trailer mounted concrete pump...that's it! In most instances a redimix truck is too large or heavy to maneuver to the location where concrete needs to be poured, such as in the construction of pool decks, foundations, and footers. So you can either make dozens of trips with a wheel barrow, or save significant time and effort by using a concrete pump. In these instances, the redimix truck will pour into the concrete pump, which will then push the concrete through a heavy duty hose to its desired location. Concrete pumps are also utilized to pump concrete to raised locations, such as in elevated slabs and cmu block-fill.
RESPONSIBILITIES
When working as a General Purpose Concrete Pumper you are an independent contractor providing pumping services for various construction companies. When hired, you will show up on-site, layout and attach the required length of hose, and then operate the pump when the redimix truck arrives. When pumping, the hose will typically be handled by members of the construction crew, as the form-work is their responsibility...your job is to operate the pump. Some pumpers will handle the hose if needed, but that will open them up to additional liability and is not recommended unless necessary. When finished, you clean your hose, clean your pump, and leave. Granted, situations will arise where you have to think on your feet, but the premise is simple...get the concrete from point A to point B.
BENEFIT$
General Purpose Concrete Pumping continues to be one of the hidden profit niches of the construction industry. Using the current southeastern market as reference, the average General Purpose Concrete Pumper will charge a minimum of $450 per job (average). That amount covers 4 hours of work, and anything beyond that will be charged at around $100/hr. If the job is finished in less than 4 hours, the minimum is still charged. Pumping 1 job per day (for a standard work week) and spending no more than 4 hours on that job will gross a profit of $117,000/year! Pumping 2 jobs per day will double that number to $234,000/year....and during a stable economy, an average of 2 jobs per day is easily obtainable for an ambitious pumper.
There are, of course, slow parts of the construction season, but there are also more demanding times. The benefit of being a General Purpose Concrete Pumper is that you can tailor your schedule to your need. You control your hours...you control how many jobs you take...you work as much or as little as you want. A financially savvy concrete pumper can make an absolute fortune in this industry!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
To get started in this business, you only need 3 things: A concrete pump, a hose system, and a truck to pull it.
THE CONCRETE PUMP
Trailer mounted concrete pumps are classified by how many cubic yards of concrete they can pump per hour. The more yards/hour a machine can pump, the bigger and more expensive it gets. A General Purpose Concrete Pumper doesn't need a large machine and will not require (or even be able to utilize) a machine that pumps any more than 20-30 yd/hr if using a standard 2” diameter hose. This saves a considerable amount of money when purchasing a pump! So what pump should someone get when looking into becoming a General Purpose Pumper? Well, there are several options:
One option is the Reinert ZR-430, a 22 yd/hr concrete pump designed specifically for the General Purpose Pumper. It has a fully mechanical hydraulic system with limited electronic controls...meaning there is much less that can go wrong compared to other pumps with more intricate electronics. It is easy to maintain, lightweight, and easy to tow. It also has ZERO internal reduction, which means that no energy is wasted in the pumping process. For more information on Reduction, click here. See complete specs on the Reinert here.
Another option is The IMER Booster20, a machine designed to be small but still pump long distances. Well balanced and refined, the Booster20 is the most well equipped line pump on the market with standard features including an automatic greasing system, casted steel hopper with agitator included, vibrating grid, and radio remote with volume control. To top it off...the Booster20 has the least expensive price tag in the industry. For more on the Imer Booster20, click here.
THE HOSE SYSTEM
By far, the most common size of hose for General Purpose Concrete Pumping is 2”. Anything greater gets exponentially heavier when filled with concrete and becomes much more tedious and physically demanding. Larger hose sizes are used with larger machines to maximize yards per hour, but a General Purpose Concrete Pumper doesn't need to pump 50 yd/hr, so there is no reason to waste money and energy on larger hose.
Most General Purpose Pumpers carry no more than 200' of 2” hose. Accessories such as reducers and elbows allow you to customize your system for any given situation.
THE TRUCK
Every pumper has their own opinion regarding what kind of truck is suitable for General Purpose Pumping, but when towing a machine like the ZR-430 or an IMER, a ¾ ton truck such as a Ford F250 is plenty to safely handle this machine.
The only reason you would need a truck even that big would be to handle the weight of the hose and other tools you may place in the bed. Larger pumps would require a full ton, or dually truck, but a General Purpose Pumper can save money by tailoring his equipment to his need.
THE TAKE AWAY
If you are interested in starting your own business in construction where you can plan your hours, control your schedule, limit your liability & overhead, and still make heavy profits...then you should strongly consider becoming a General Purpose Concrete Pumper. This job requires no professional prerequisite or formal education. The best kept secret for profit in construction is definitely in General Purpose Concrete Pumping!
NEXT STEPS
If you decide to move forward with a trailer pump investment, see a local dealer like us, Farran Equipment Co. in Charleston, SC. We partner with financing companies that specialize in construction equipment to get you the best rate. Considering your average bank will not have the industry knowledge to understand financing such a specialized piece of equipment, an independent financing company is your best bet.
If you are curious about the day-to-day life of a General Purpose Pumper, then we can set you up to go out on a job with one of our clients and experience first hand what this profession is all about. And if you just have basic questions regarding concrete pumping, please don't hesitate to call us and we will be more than happy to walk you through what goes into, and what you can get out of, this profession. For more information, please see the link below or call 843-552-6433.
Farran Equipment Company, Inc was established in 1984 and has since grown to be a leading equipment and service provider in the Concrete Pumping industry. Serving clients across the United States and overseas, Farran Equipment Company specializes in all things concrete from pumps and parts to hose, tools, and service. Located in North Charleston, South Carolina Farran Equipment Company is dedicated to quality service and customer satisfaction.
